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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness
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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness Hardback - 2006

by Geoff Powter

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A clinical psychologist explores the darker physical drama behind the exploits of 11 adventurers including Meriwether Lewis, Maurice Wilson, Jean Batten, Solomon Andre, and Aleister Crowley to show that once a line is crossed, potential glory can become derision, madness, and death. 256 pp

Reader reviews for Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

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* Explores the darker psychological drama behind the exploits of eleven adventurers, famous and lesser-known
* Written by a practicing clinical psychologist
* Accounts include heretofore unpublished information provided by archival witnesses, friends, and family

Every culture, in every era, has its adventure myths: The golden hero willing to walk through fire elevates us all beyond our fears and limits. But more often than readily seen, there are darker reasons for dangerous pursuits. Where falls the line between adventure and madness? Geoff Powter, a practicing clinical psychologist, looks into the stories of eleven troubled adventurers, divided into three categories: The Burdened, The Bent, and The Lost.

* Polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott has been called a "willing martyr" ready to die for the mystical deliverance of adventure.
* Meriwether Lewis, convinced that he had failed to achieve the objectives set by mentor and father figure, Thomas Jefferson, died by his own hand.
* Maurice Wilson's plan for climbing Everest included deliberately crashing his plane as high as possible on the mountain.
* Jean Batten was a remarkably driven early aviator whose clothes and make-up were always more perfect than her flying technique.
* Polar balloonist Solomon Andre was certain that his rigorous understanding of scientific principles would overcome any challenge posed by nature or equipment failure.
* Aleister Crowley, a brilliant mountaineer who founded the Golden Dawn cult, was labeled pathologically, and even fatally, arrogant.

In each of these stories, darkness of some kind -- ambition, ego, a thirst for redemption, the need to please others -- carried these characters in a perilous direction. In the end, understanding these difficult but utterly human stories helps us comprehend the deepest purpose and allure of adventure, and, ultimately, to more honestly measure ourselves.

Details

  • Title Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness
  • Author Geoff Powter
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 245
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Mountaineers Books, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
  • Publication date September 30, 2006
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Recycled Paper, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780898869873 / 0898869870
  • Weight 1.16 lbs (0.53 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.24 x 6.32 x 1 in (23.47 x 16.05 x 2.54 cm)
  • Category Biography / Autobiography
  • Library of Congress subjects Explorers, Mountaineers
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2006000676
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • Foreword, 09/01/2006, Page 44
  • Library Journal, 05/15/2006, Page 119
  • Men's Journal, 09/01/2006, Page 53

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Strange And Dangerous Dreams The Fine Line Between Adventure And Madness
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Strange And Dangerous Dreams The Fine Line Between Adventure And Madness

by Geoff Powter

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Strange and Dangerous Dreams : The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness
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Strange and Dangerous Dreams : The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness
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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness
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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

by Powter, Geoff

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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness
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by Powter, Geoff

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Mountaineers Books, 2007. First edition. Hardcover. Like New/Fine . 6x1x9. Every culture, in every era, has its adventure myths: The golden hero willing to walk through fire elevates us all beyond our fears and limits. But more often than readily seen, there are darker reasons for dangerous pursuits. Where falls the line between adventure and madness? Geoff Powter, a practicing clinical psychologist, looks into the stories of eleven troubled adventurers, divided into three categories: The Burdened, The Bent, and The Lost.
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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

by Powter, Geoff

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Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness

by Powter, Geoff

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